Give Job Training to Marginalized Indian Women

Nirnaya sanctioned vocational training in dress making for 25 trainees. The training commenced on November 23, 2006 and will be completed by May 22, 2007. A selection committee comprising of the Program Volunteer, the local self-help group’s leader and the District Coordinator, COVA selected the trainees. Preference was given to the poorest of poor that is, widows, orphans and women working as Beedi workers. The training program was inaugurated on November 23, 2006.Certificates were distributed among 25 women from the previous batch who were trained in Zari and Zardosi work.

The local government official, Kurnool assured the gathering that he would arrange for financial assistance through government schemes for the establishment of Income Generation Activities after the completion of the training. He also stressed the need for women working as beedi makers who are exposed to health hazards to utilize such training and start new livelihood activities.

The women attending the tailoring course require the skills training, as their incomes do not exceed Rs.900/- per month. The men don’t work and they take away the earnings from the women. The women have to support at least 3 children and themselves in the said amount. Being uneducated and unskilled, the main work of these women is rolling beedis or small unfiltered Indian cigarettes. Women are unprotected while performing these tasks thereby being susceptible to lung infections and T.B. Once they take up a contract, they have to meet the target set at any cost. The payment for making beedis is as follows: a) Rolling 500 beedis – Rs. 6/-per day b) Folding 2000 beedi heads – Rs 6/- per day c) Cutting 500 leaves – Rs.15/- per day.

A survey was conducted of the families living below the poverty line. 250 women were identified. A meeting was held with these women and they were briefed on the Nirnaya Project and Programs. Faizunnisa contacted the textile factory nearby and discussions were held on providing wage employment and job work to the trainees after training. A confidence-building program for the trainees was organized.

During the month of December 06, Faizunnisa took the dress making trainees on an exposure visit to textile factory.

The following syllabus was covered under Vocational Training in Dress Making: · Four types of plain blouses using cloth · Two types of plain Punjabi suits using cloth. The following syllabus was covered in Fashion Designing · Shalwar kameez · Chudidar · Record work · Four types of readymade frocks

The vocational training center for marginalized Muslim women is actually creating ripple effects in other parts of the district and the local government departments.

• Newsletter 07-01-2006 (PDF)